Nash Villena, Author at newswatchplus.ph

Authorities seize ₱8.5-M illegal cigarettes in Negros Occidental

Nash Villena — Sat, 24 Oct 2026 10:47:36 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – Law enforcement and customs officials seized 8,875 reams and 418 packages of unauthorized cigarettes with a market value of ₱8.5 million during an anti-smuggling operation in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental. A customs bureau statement said the seized cigarettes branded “D&B,” “YS,” and “Marvels” are suspected to be without permit. It added

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DOLE issues compensation advisory for heat-related illnesses

Nash Villena — Sat, 24 Oct 2026 04:45:54 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – Amid intensifying El Niño, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) released guidelines on compensating workers who may develop heat-related illnesses. The guidelines cover workers exposed daily to excessive heat or who are susceptible to heat stress and related illnesses indoors and outdoors. Labor Advisory No. 19, Series of 2026 applies

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Filipino expat killed in drone attack in Saudi Arabia oil field — DMW

Nash Villena — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 09:59:57 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – A Filipino worker was killed in a drone attack at a Saudi Aramco facility in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed Thursday, Oct. 22. The DMW said a male Filipino was killed after the military intercepted a drone targeting the facility at the Shaybah oil

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49 repatriated OFWs from Saudi Arabia arrive in Manila

Nash Villena — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 09:59:53 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – Forty-nine overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) repatriated from Dammam, Saudi Arabia arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Friday, Oct. 23. The Department of Migrant Workers said the OFWs boarded the Gulf Air flight GF 154, availing voluntary repatriation from the widening Middle East tensions. The

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PH embassy in Rome cautions Filipinos for Oct. 24 protests

Nash Villena — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 04:27:54 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Embassy in Rome advised Filipinos in Italy to exercise heightened caution in the middle of demonstrations across parts of the country. In an advisory issued Thursday, Oct. 22, the embassy warned of further demonstrations, particularly in Rome, Milan, Florence, Turin, Bologna, Padua, Bari, and Genoa, with multiple public marches

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Pope Leo XIV won’t need further treatment — doctors

Nash Villena — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 08:40:07 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – Pope Leo XIV will not go through extended treatment after his lung surgery last week, the pontiff’s doctors Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora said on Wednesday, Oct. 21. According to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office, the final medical reports confirmed that the tumor was a common

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MMDA to conduct random drug tests on bus drivers for Undas travel

Nash Villena — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 05:28:08 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it will conduct unannounced inspections and drug tests among bus drivers ahead of Undas (All Saints’ and All Souls’ days) to ensure safety with the expected volume of passengers taking advantage of the holidays. MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the team will be composed

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MMDA to suspend road works for close to 2 months

Nash Villena — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 05:24:26 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said road works will be suspended for close to two months beginning Nov. 1 over a number of events. After an inter-agency meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 21, the MMDA said the temporary suspension is part of early preparations for the Undas (All Saints’ Day and

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DOLE to enforce labor advisories amid El Niño health risks

Nash Villena — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 10:12:47 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said it will issue four labor guidelines for employers and workers in light of health risks posed by the ongoing El Niño phenomenon. Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said Friday that the upcoming guidelines seek to safeguard workers from heat-related illnesses. He said the primary

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249 OFWs from Riyadh to return to PH this week — OWWA

Nash Villena — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 09:56:14 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) announced Sunday that 249 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, are expected to return to the Philippines this week. OWWA said 349 OFWs are covered by current repatriation arrangements, with flight bookings for 100 of them still underway through the agency and the

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